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Just bought a 2009 Prius: What services should I preform on it?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Care, Maintenance and Troubleshooting' started by DigitalNomad, Jun 22, 2019.

  1. DigitalNomad

    DigitalNomad Junior Member

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    Hi everyone. I just purchased a 2009 Prius at auction, and will be picking it up next week. The car has 65k miles on it.

    Questions:

    1. What routine maintenance do you advise? I'm going to pull out the HV battery fan and make sure it is clean. I'm also going to change the oil and put some fresh full synthetic in it, and change the air filter too. What other items should get attended to?

    2. I'd really like a head unit with Android Auto. For these 2nd-gen Prius models, will any double DIN system work? Are there ones that work better than others, or have any special features that a Prius can take advantage of? What models have you folks used, and have you been happy with them? Also, what dash kits for the head unit have you used in your 2nd-gen models?

    Thanks in advance for the pointers!
     
  2. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    Change the transmission fluid
     
  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats and welcome!
    cabin filter

    12v battery health test

    new fob batteries

    test metal keys in lock

    learn where the jump point is in the fuse box under the hood

    learn how to crawl in the back and open the hatch manually

    learn where the sks button is under the steering wheel

    check the spare and its pressure

    think about a prolong battery conditioner

    watch your oil loss every week until you're comfortable with stretching it out. at 65k, its poly fine

    the only thing i can say about audio upgrade is to search the gen2 audio forum
     
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  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    Here is the 2009 Prius maintenance schedule, I would follow that.
    https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/omms-s/T-MMS-09Prius/pdf/09%20Prius%20SMG%20127073%20EN%201st%20Print.pdf

    Like Skibob, I would add a scheduled ATF WS drain and fill. I recommend 30,000 miles, 100,000 miles and then every 100,000 miles.

    Since you are past 65,000 it should be done fairly soon. then at 150,000 and then every 100,000.

    DIY is 4 quarts of Toyota ATF WS and two washers for the drain and fill bolts, about $40.

    As a dealer service, I pay $90 to $110.
     
    #4 JimboPalmer, Jun 24, 2019
    Last edited: Jun 25, 2019
  5. exstudent

    exstudent Senior Member

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    Assuming the Prius comes with one fob, get a second one ASAP, if you have a fully functional fob. If the car has SKS and the accompanying fob does NOT work correctly, pay to have a dealer perform a RESET and RESEED procedure. BUY NEW (100% virgin) fobs! Price difference between used and new is small.

    Replace the front struts and related wear items, and rear shocks.

    Brake inspection:
    pad/shoe thickness
    rotor/drum thickness
    lube caliper pins and shoe contact points on backing plate​

    Read Post #5 for common sources of water entry and see the links for how people fixed the leaks.

    Check the SOC (State of Charge) on the 12V battery.
    Is my inverter coolant pump slowly failing? | PriusChat
    Post #5) How to apply a load.
    Post #8) State of Charge chart, AGM compatible battery chargers.
    CHECK THE ENGINE OIL LEVEL RELIGIOUSLY, and fill to the TOP Full mark! Too many people do not do this.

    I would check the VIN with Toyota.com/owners, to see if the current mileage is correct. 65k miles seems suspect for a 10year old car.
     
  6. DigitalNomad

    DigitalNomad Junior Member

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    Just updating this thread with some work I've completed. Thank you for all the suggestions folks, I've added the ideas to my projects list.

    Completed:
    • 12v Battery terminal cleaning
    • Traction battery fan cleaning
    • Throttle body cleaning
    • Checked engine air filter, waiting for replacement part to arrive to install
    Noticed and Need Input:

    • Front left shock, the rubber boot is dried up and fallen apart (see pic). When I put weight on the car to test the shocks, they bounce back firmly. Is there any way to change the rubber boot on the shock? When I get the wheel off, I'm going to look closely for any leaking fluids inside of the shock tower, shock itself, the brake lines, etc.
    • The car was a single-owner county vehicle that was used by a crime scene tech. They get new grants every 10 years, so they turn over their entire fleet at auction every decade, regardless of millage.
    20190705_210927.jpg

    Thank you once again!
     

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  7. Raytheeagle

    Raytheeagle Senior Member

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    You have to disassemble the entire shock assembly to change the boot.
    So might be worth swapping out the shock at the same time;).

    Or just live with the condition :).

    Good luck and keep us posted (y).
     
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  8. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    I would buy a Prolong Hybrid battery charger. It will extend the life of the hybrid battery for quite a few years. It will greatly improve the mileage and the cars power. The car has not been driven much over the last 10 years that is very hard on the hybrid battery. The cars that seem to do the best are cold climate cars with high mileage. Letting a hybrid battery sit will kill it corrosion begins.

    hybridautomotive.com

    Looks like everything is dry as a bone on that car. Grease it up. See the spring on the end of the butterfly axle on the throttle body spray it with some lubricant. Spray the hood latch the hood hinges all the door hinges and especially the mechanical key lock on the drivers door.
    Make sure that lock works because when your brand new 12 volt battery dies because you left the interior light on you will need a way to get into the car. I use a great product for that I hose the suspension of all cars with it its called CSP. No smell heavy grease that stays where you put it.

    To prevent that incredibly common occurrence of leaving the light on always without exception lock the car using the fob. Especially in the garage. It will not allow you to lock the doors if a door ajar or leave a light on.Its a little 12 volt battery doe not take much to kill it.

    Its hot out. Really freaking hot out. The G2 has a huge front windshield cross section and if you leave the car to sit in the sun all day it will attain a cabin temp of well...scary and that will kill the hybrid battery. Cabin heat kills the battery. If you let this car sit in the sun all day you will hear the Hybrid fan you just cleaned come on. Not good. Buy a insulated Weathertech Windshield shade from Priushop its custom fit to the windshield. Mine is going on 11 years old. very high quality shade. It will keep the cabin very cool.

    And lastly the best thing you can buy and I buy one for every car I own is a real leather steering wheel cover. The G2 steering wheel is a cheese grater its so rough. It will make the car feel 100% better.


    wheelskins.com

    Best leather cover made. Good luck.
     
    #8 edthefox5, Jul 7, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2019
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  9. DigitalNomad

    DigitalNomad Junior Member

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    20190708_061730.jpg Just changed out the engine air filter today. Still working on following up with the previous suggestions as I have time. Thank you once again for all the pointers!
     
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  10. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Sounds good be aware there’s a throat clamp under the air cleaner box to the throttle body.
    It’s a 10 mm clamp you have to sneak your socket wrench under the air cleaner box to tighten it.
    Make sure it’s tight as unmetered air sneaking by the maf will make the engine run poorly and get bad mileage.
     
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  11. DigitalNomad

    DigitalNomad Junior Member

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    The cabin air filter just arrived today. It was an easy install. Opted for just a plain filter instead of a charcoal one, as I've read that some people have reported issues with the charcoal powder causing problems with the system. I've also read that some people have been just fine with charcoal. Who knows? As my car doesn't have any strong smells, I played it safe.

    20190716_095006.jpg
     
  12. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Here's some 2nd gen info from the Repair Manual regarding the transaxle fluid. Not really a fluid replacement instruction, but close enough. The level check indicates how to get the level right, basically filling till it starts coming back out (with the car level). I would think if you bought 4 quarts and it wasn't coming back out yet, but close, you're good.

    Also, I read another document about Toyota ATF WS fluid, which cautions against storing the fluid once open, recommends to use newly opened bottles only. Similar to brake fluid I guess.
     

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  13. James1964

    James1964 Member

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    How does one open the hatch?
    Asking for a friend...
    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
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  14. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    It’s a good idea to clean the ac evap under the dash. It’s done by buying a pressurized can or 2 of microbial cleaner and connecting it to the ac drip hose under the car. The cleaner is injected up into the evap case as soapy foam and then drips out as liquid. Keeps the ac evap case free of funk and clean and keeps the drip hose open.
    Then buy a can or 2 of coil cleaner and take the plastic cover off the rad and spray the condenser coil in front of the rad with that cleaner. The cleaner the condenser the cooler the compressor the cooler the air.
    Cool compressor will greatly extend its life. Bet yours has never been cleaned.

    Have done mine 3 times. Results in nice smelly and super cold ac. Same thing you should do to your home ac.

    My dealer gets $150 to do the drip hose injection.

    Go on amazon and buy 2 cans of Koolit. Comes with the drip hose connector.
     
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  15. Skibob

    Skibob Senior Member

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    I believe the procedure is shown in the owners manual.
     
  16. edthefox5

    edthefox5 Senior Member

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    Ah yes the ole' nice smelly.